Los Cut It By Rex A.C. Siler

Carlos Estrella is a huge Barber Influencer in the United States with close to 250k followers on his Insta. He also has is eyes on the rest of the world. He hails from Chicago and is a L3VEL3 shareholder, ambassador, and presenter.

He is a global educator for BaByliss and is now also branching out with his own education platform. He is flamboyant and his work is LOUD! He designs, barbers, colours, and photographs his creations himself.

When you see his amazing art and ask, “who did that?”

THE TRUTH IS…….LOS CUT IT!

Please tell us about yourself, your entry in the hair world, where and when it all started, your early influences and mentors.

I am a 23-year hair veteran, someone who’s never worked a “real job“ in his life or has ever been interviewed for a 9-5pm. Everything I am and what I do all came from a pair of clippers and following my vision to become a hair artist like I am today.

My early influences came from anyone and everyone I’ve had a chance to learn from. By the time I turned 18 I worked at Mr Official Cuts Barbershop “Official Cuts” and there I was able to grow my character and learn so much about building a strong foundation so when you make it to the top you don’t crumble fast.

Please tell us about L3vel3, your involvement with them and the ethos of the brand

L3vel3 is what happens when talent meets trust! Being able to work with L3vel3 has been one of the best experiences, being able to levitate the industry in hair products. After years of working together, we have been able to develop such a great workflow relationship.

L3vel3 has exploded onto the world stage and has instantly merged high level hairdressing skills and barbering together with its incredible imagery in the marketing of the range, from the likes of yourself, Robert Braid and Abass Ahmadifard to name just 2 other ambassadors. This is such a bold move and one that has been embraced by L3vel3 fans as users of the product have jumped straight on board with the colouring of hair and the precise lines in the architecture of the haircuts and beard work you guys promote.

I think it’s safe to say that like most influential athletes or superstars, the public seem to support or purchase any sponsored products they promote, but I think it’s also important for us to believe in what we promote so the combination of both will lead to a successful outcome.

You seem just as at home with women’s cuts as you do with men’s, especially with the use of colour. Can you tell us about the added dimension to your art, hair colour gives you, and how colouring hair inspires such intricate detailed creations in some of your latest work.

So, after mastering barbering for so long, I decided to finally get licensed, but instead of going to barber school I wanted to test my skills out and attend cosmetology (hairdressing) school, where I could expand my knowledge in hair. Grateful that I got to learn both, I wanted to work with woman who only wore short hair simply because to me, it will get the attention of the male audience quicker than a male would.

You’re only one haircut, one colour and one video away from the entire world knowing you.

Focus on being the best version of you because being you is the biggest superpower you have.

It was the sex appeal for me, it would be easier to draw a crowd cutting up a woman, giving her some type of art design rather than to just cut a guy. It was a way for me to stand out from everyone else.

When did you get behind the camera, and how has that influenced and contributed to the evolvement of your art?

I got behind a camera almost 3 years ago simply because I started realizing that social media was a way to truly promote my work and promote it with quality. So, I decided to invest in myself by hiring a few professional photographers. The thing about professional photographers, is that they mainly focus on the entire photo, unlike us, who’s eyes focus on strictly the haircut & hairstyles.

So just like anything else, I master anything I touch. I went on YouTube and started studying photography and photo editing for the next three years, eventually capturing most of my work, but most importantly it allowed me to know what to look for when I hired help.

You’re a passionate educator, please tell us about the joy you get from sharing your knowledge.

I love educating! I didn’t know that until had to do it for the first time. To me life is all about impactful experiences. How things and ideas make you feel when your light lights up in your head, that is a memorable experience. Watching others educate from all platforms, not just in hair has allowed me for so much growth. I know what I’m doing and what I’m currently doing with it, so it’s an indescribable feeling when you’re able to share that knowledge with others who can do so much more with it. I work with BaByliss Pro; an amazing company to work for, their educational training seminars are some of the best when it comes to Barbering, at the same time allowing us to be ourselves is what make this team one of the greatest forces out. My online Academy was created during the Covid pandemic. It was a simple way to stay connected with my audience, make an income and it allowed me to continue educating all while maintaining my distance and following protocol. My 2022 Double Impact tour will take place this summer, this will be my first ever tour in 23 years in the industry. I think I’m finally ready to share with the world how it’s done! The Los Cut It way. I’ll be sharing this tour with my great friend @PapiBlendz from Miami who shares the same visions

Do you have any words of inspiration you would like to share with our Australian Barbers?

Yes. Any one of you have the power to take the lead in this industry. You’re only one haircut, one colour and one video away from the entire world knowing you. Focus on being the best version of you because being you is the biggest superpower you have.

60 SECOND SPEED DATE WITH CARLOS ESTRELLA

Favourite Destination in the World: Hawaii

Favourite Food: Sushi

Favourite Movie: Limitless

Favourite Book? Rich Dad Poor Dad

What are you reading right now? Rich Dad Poor Dad lol!!

Who are you listening to right now? Everyone and anyone who shares knowledge, Gary Vee, Joe Rogan, Nell Boys Elon musk

What are you watching right now? Power, Billions, OZARK